Monday, September 29, 2014

A Tangled Web by Sandra Schwab

Publication Date: July 14, 2014

eBook; 104p

ASIN: B00LXU6EWE

Series: Allan's Miscellany

Genre: Historical Romance

Lawrence Pelham works as a comic artist for Allan’s Miscellany. A chance meeting with a young woman dressed in mourning changes Pel’s whole life, and without his even knowing, he is thrown into a world of mystery and intrigue, where nothing is as it seems to be—especially not the woman he has given his heart to.

Her whole life Sarah Browne has been told how plain she is, how nondescript, destined to become an old maid. For years she has been her family’s dutiful nursing maid and caretaker, but now a secret inheritance and an encounter with the charming Mr. Pelham seem to offer her a chance to break out of her life of duty and drudgery—if she dares to take it. Yet how could such an interesting, witty man like Mr. Pelham be possibly interested in her boring self?

And so, Sarah soon finds herself entangled in a web of lies and deceit, which might even cost her the love of her life.

My Review:

Four Stars

Copy received from Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for an honest review

Historical Romances are one of my favorite genres so I was really excited to read this short but satisfying story. Although it's only 104 pages long Schwab was able to deliver interesting characters, a satisfying romance and a mystery to the mix. I would have thought that all these elements would be difficult to balance but she was able to pull it off. Lawrence Pelham was a great male lead. He seemed to really balance the plain-Jane: Sarah Browne. I really enjoyed Sarah and though that the author was able to show her growth as a character. Stories like these are my favorite because I feel connected to the character when I see their evolution. The Sarah that we meet at the beginning is not the same Sarah that we see at the end. I'm excited to have experienced a great author that I had not read before. Anyone looking for a short but sweet venture into romance, adventure and mystery will enjoy this fun story.

Praise for A Tangled Web

"Once again [Schwab] weaves brilliantly researched historical details into a story that not only is irresistibly romantic, but also sparkles with wit. To top it off, she has come up with an enchanting couple that truly earns their happy ending." ~ Tina Dick, LoveLetter

Praise for The Bride Prize

"The Bride Prize is, in a word, delightful. [...] I smiled for a long time when it was over. I cannot wait until the next installment in this series." ~ Michelle Boule, www.wanderingeye.com

Allan's Miscellany Series Titles

Book One: The Bride Prize

Book Two: Falling For a Scoundrel

Book Three: A Tangled Web

Book Four: Devil's Return

About the Author

Award-winning author Sandra Schwab started writing her first novel when she was seven years old. Thirty-odd years later, telling stories is still her greatest passion, even though by now she has exchanged her pink fountain pen of old for a black computer keyboard. Since the release of her debut novel in 2005, she has enchanted readers worldwide with her unusual historical romances.

She holds a PhD in English literature and lives in Frankfurt am Main / Germany with a sketchbook, a sewing machine, and an ever-expanding library. Her new series about the fictional magazine Allan's Miscellany combines her academic research on Victorian periodicals with her love for story-telling.